Abstract: A method for heat treatment of an object of sheet metal, includes the step of heating at least one selected portion of the object using an energy beam. The beam is projected onto a surface of the object so as to produce a primary spot on the object, the beam being repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot on the object, the effective spot having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot is displaced in relation to the surface of the object to progressively heat the at least one selected portion of the object. The scanning pattern includes interconnected curved segments.

Abstract: A method of heat treating a workpiece, the method including projecting a laser beam from a laser source onto said workpiece, so as to produce a laser spot on said workpiece; projecting the laser spot onto different portions of said workpiece; and while projecting the laser spot, repetitively scanning the laser beam in two dimensions so as to produce a two-dimensional equivalent effective laser spot on said workpiece and thereby temper, reduce hardness of, enhance ductility of, and/or reduce brittleness of at least one of the different portions of the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a machine, the machine includes moveable axes and an apparatus for emitting an energy beam. A method includes the steps of providing a computing device or system; providing, the computing device or system, a program for operating the axes of the machine based on a CAD file, the program having a plurality of controller instructions for operating the axes; and providing the program to a controller of the machine. The computing device or system adds apparatus instructions to the program, each apparatus instruction corresponding to an energy beam radiation configuration of energy beam radiation configurations for the apparatus. Each time the controller runs a line of the program that has an apparatus instruction, the computing device or system operates the apparatus according to the apparatus instruction; and each apparatus instruction added to the program is a comment for the controller.

Abstract: A method for establishing a weld joint comprises the step of projecting an energy beam such as a laser beam (2) onto an interface area (103) between two parts (101, 102) to be joined. The beam (2) is projected onto the interface area (103) so as to produce a primary spot on the interface area (103), and the beam (2) is repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot (21) on the object, the effective spot (21) having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot (21) is displaced along a track (104) over the interface area (103) so as to progressively melt mating portions of the first part (101) and the second part (102) so as to form the weld joint (105). The effective spot (21) can feature an asymmetric energy distribution.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: a) supplying building material; and b) fusing the building material using a light beam (2); wherein steps a) and b) are carried out so as to progressively produce the object out of the fused building material. In step b), the beam (2) is projected onto the building material so as to produce a primary spot on the building material, the beam being repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a first scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot (21) on the building material, said effective spot having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot (21) is displaced in relation to the object being produced to progressively produce the object by fusing the building material.

Abstract: A machine for machining workpieces, including a first column and a second column facing each other according to a first horizontal axis, a guide system guided displacement of at least one of the columns in parallel with the first horizontal axis, one or two tool units, each tool unit being arranged on respective column for controlled displacement perpendicularly to the first horizontal axis, on each column, a workpiece holding device, at least one of the workpiece holding devices being arranged for controlled displacement in parallel with the first horizontal axis, where the workpiece holding devices are arranged for supporting a workpiece between them and for controlled rotation of the workpiece around a workpiece axis parallel with the first horizontal axis.

Abstract: Machine tool including a workpiece carrier assembly including a workpiece carrier for supporting a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece carrier assembly being supported on a workpiece carrier support for horizontal movement in a first direction parallel with a horizontal Z axis, a tool carrier configured for carrying a plurality of tools corresponding to the plurality of workpieces and for machining the workpieces, the tool carrier being supported on a tool carrier support for horizontal movement in a second direction parallel to a horizontal X axis, the X axis being perpendicular to the horizontal Z axis, where the tool carrier is displaceable on the tool carrier support in the second direction between an operative position in which the tools are arranged for the contacting the workpieces and an inoperative position in which the workpieces are not contactable by the tools, where the workpiece carrier is arranged to be rotatable around an axis parallel with the X axis, and where the workpiece carrier includ

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: a) supplying building material; and b) fusing the building material using a light beam (2); wherein steps a) and b) are carried out so as to progressively produce the object out of the fused building material. In step b), the beam (2) is projected onto the building material so as to produce a primary spot on the building material, the beam being repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a first scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot (21) on the building material, said effective spot having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot (21) is displaced in relation to the object being produced to progressively produce the object by fusing the building material.

Abstract: Machine tool, comprising a workpiece carrier assembly (11) including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assembly (11) being supported on a workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between an operative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing said workpiece carrier assembly (11), and an inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing the workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.

Abstract: Machine tool, comprising at least two workpiece carrier assemblies (11), each including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assemblies (11) being supported on respective workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; at least a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between at least one operative position (A) in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing one of said workpiece carrier assemblies (11), and at least one inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing any workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.

Abstract: A method of laser hardening a surface area of a workpiece, such as a surface of a journal of a crankshaft, includes the step of: generating a relative movement between the surface of the workpiece and a laser source to allow a laser spot to subsequently be projected onto different portions of said surface area. The method also includes the step of repetitively scanning the laser beam so as to produce a two-dimensional equivalent effective laser spot on said surface area, during the relative movement. The scanning pattern can include at least three substantially parallel lines which the laser spot follows in a certain order. When the workpiece includes several journals having different widths, two laser sources may be used to harden the surface area of the wider journals.

Abstract: The machine tool includes a workpiece carrier assembly arranged for horizontal movement in parallel to a horizontal axis and a tool carrier configured for carrying at least one tool for machining at least one workpiece by rotating the tool. The workpiece carrier assembly or the tool carrier is displaceable between an operative position in which a workpiece carrier is facing the tool carrier, and at least one inoperative position. The workpiece carrier is arranged to be rotatable to allow for a modification of the angular position of the workpiece in relation to the tool carrier.

Abstract: Method of laser hardening of a surface area of a workpiece, such as a surface of a journal of a crankshaft, comprising: generating a relative movement between the surface of the workpiece and a laser source to allow a laser spot to subsequently be projected onto different portions of said surface area, and during said relative movement, repetitively scanning the laser beam (2) so as to produce a two-dimensional equivalent effective laser spot (5) on said surface area. The energy distribution of the effective laser spot is adapted so that it is different in a more heat sensitive subarea, such as in an area adjacent to an oil lubrication opening, than in a less heat sensitive subarea, so as to prevent overheating of said more heat sensitive subarea.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine comprising a first machining module (1) configured to simultaneously machine at least two crankshafts, a second machining module (2) configured to simultaneously machine at least two crankshafts, and a support structure (3) with at least four crankshaft fixing positions (31, 32, 33, 34) for the machining of such crankshafts. The support structure (3) is located between the machining modules. The fixing positions (31, 32, 33, 34) are arranged in two columns (35, 36) of fixing positions, each of which comprises at least two of the fixing positions (31, 32; 33, 34) located at a different height, and the support structure (3) is rotatably arranged, such that it can perform a rotation of at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: The machine for machining crankshafts comprises a support (2) to support at least one crankshaft (100), and at least one actuator (1) to actuate a machining tool for machining the crankshaft. The support (2) is configured to hold the crankshaft with at least two clamping devices (21) configured to secure the crankshaft in correspondence with at least two main journals (103) of the crankshaft. The support (2) turns in respect to a vertical axis (A) to modify an angle of attack between a longitudinal axis (B) of the crankshaft (100) and the actuator. The support is provided with a turning mechanism (22) displaceable between a retracted position wherein it does not interact with the crankshaft (100), and an actuation position wherein the turning mechanism (22) interacts with the crankshaft (100) in order to turn the crankshaft (100) in respect to its longitudinal axis (B).

Abstract: Machine tool, comprising at least two workpiece carrier assemblies (11), each including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assemblies (11) being supported on respective workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; at least a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between at least one operative position (A) in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing one of said workpiece carrier assemblies (11), and at least one inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing any workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine comprising a first machining module (1) configured to simultaneously machine at least two crankshafts, a second machining module (2) configured to simultaneously machine at least two crankshafts, and a support structure (3) with at least four crankshaft fixing positions (31, 32, 33, 34) for the machining of such crankshafts. The support structure (3) is located between the machining modules. The fixing positions (31, 32, 33, 34) are arranged in two columns (35, 36) of fixing positions, each of which comprises at least two of the fixing positions (31, 32; 33, 34) located at a different height, and the support structure (3) is rotatably arranged, such that it can perform a rotation of at least 180 degrees.

Abstract: Machine tool, comprising a workpiece carrier assembly (11) including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assembly (11) being supported on a workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between an operative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing said workpiece carrier assembly (11), and an inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing the workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.

Abstract: The machine for machining crankshafts comprises a support (2) to support at least one crankshaft (100), and at least one actuator (1) to actuate a machining tool for machining the crankshaft. The support (2) is configured to hold the crankshaft with at least two clamping devices (21) configured to secure the crankshaft in correspondence with at least two main journals (103) of the crankshaft. The support (2) turns in respect to a vertical axis (A) to modify an angle of attack between a longitudinal axis (B) of the crankshaft (100) and the actuator. The support is provided with a turning mechanism (22) displaceable between a retracted position wherein it does not interact with the crankshaft (100), and an actuation position wherein the turning mechanism (22) interacts with the crankshaft (100) in order to turn the crankshaft (100) in respect to its longitudinal axis (B).

Abstract: A machine which comprises two machining heads (1, 2) designed to machine crankshaft (5) ends and two machining stations (3, 4) designed to receive and secure at least one crankshaft (5). The machining stations (3, 4) are disposed between the two machining heads (1, 2). The crankshafts (5) are mounted in such a manner as to be disposed parallel to each other and oriented at 180°.